Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL INTEREST IN AMHCA & COUNSELING ISSUES

Q: Why is it beneficial for me to become an AMHCA member now, while I'm still in school?

A: AMHCA offers a plethora of opportunities including being connected to a network of individuals who care about the counseling profession and the ability to become involved in advocating & lobbying for your profession. AMHCA Student Section has useful listings, links, and general information to assist your academic and professional activities. And, if you get involved with the Graduate Student Committee, you've got a great resume builder!

Q: How can I get involved with the AMHCA Graduate Student Committee?

A: ALL graduate students are invited to join! Please contact the current Jason Stout, 2007-08 chair of the Graduate Student Committee, at jstout6@radford.edu to explore options for involvement - OR - make plans to attend the next Annual Conference to get acquainted with AMHCA and the members of the Graduate Student Committee!

ACADEMIC PURSUITS IN THE FIELD OF COUNSELING

Q: How do I find which counseling programs are CACREP accredited?

A: http://www.cacrep.org/directory.html

Q: What testing options exist related to graduate school admissions? Do I have to take the GRE?

A: You'll want to follow the requirements of the application packet you have received from the schools you are interested in applying to; however, to provide you with direction, the Graduate Student Committee has provided the links for you below for the two main tests prospective graduate students in the Counseling field take for admission into the program of their choice.

1. GRE® - Graduate Record Examinations, found at www.ets.org
2. MAT - Miller Analogies Test, found at http://harcourtassessment.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/dotCom/MillerAnalogies.com.htm

FOR PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS IN THE FIELD OF COUNSELING

Q: Should I take the NCE - National Counselor Exam? It is really worth it?

A: The choice is completely yours! The NCE is taken most often by final year graduate students, in the pursuit of becoming a National Certified Counselor. Many of your peers nationwide seek this credential, but it is by no means a requirement of the field per se. If you choose to take it, most likely your program has a person designated as the ‘NBCC Campus Coordinator'. Ask your Advisor who this person is. If you are no longer a student, you may contact NBCC directly at www.nbcc.org/.

Q: How can I find information on licensure in my state?

A: The Graduate Student Committee has provided the links for you below on finding licensure information/reciprocity in your state.
This a state list of websites (or phone numbers) for accreditation and licensure:

AL:	http://www.abec.state.al.us/
AK:	http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/ppco.htm
AZ:	http://www.bbhe.state.az.us/
AR:	http://www.state.ar.us/abec
CA:	http://www.california-registry.org/
CO:	http://www.dora.state.co.us/mental-health/lpcboard.htm
CT:	http://www.ct-clic.com/
DE:	http://www.professionallicensing.state.de.us/boards/profcounselors/index.shtml
DC:	http://dchealth.dc.gov/prof_license/services/boards_main_action.asp?strappid=21
FL:	http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/491/
GA:	http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/counselors/
HI:	http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/programs/mental
ID:	http://ibol.idaho.gov/cou.htm
IL:	http://www.idfpr.com/dpr/default.asp
IN:	http://www.in.gov/hpb/boards/mhcb
KY:	http://finance.ky.gov/ourcabinet/caboff/oas/op/procoun/
ME:	http://www.state.me.us/pfr/olr/categories/cat13.htm
MD:	http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/bopc/
MA:	http://www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mh/
MI:	(517)335-0918 (no website link)
MN:	http://www.bbht.state.mn.us/
MO:	http://www.pr.mo.gov/
NE:	http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/crl/mhcs/mental/mentalhealth.htm
NV:	(775)463-9009 (there is currently no licensure law in NV)
NH:	http://www.state.nh.us/mhpb/
NJ:	http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/familytherapy.htm
NM:	http://www.rld.state.nm.us/b&c/counseling/index.htm
NY:	http://www.nysed.gov/
ND:	http://www2.edutech.nodak.edu/ndbce/
OH:	http://cswmft.ohio.gov/
OK:	http://www.health.ok.gov/program/lpc
PA:	http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/view.asp?a=1104&q=433177
RI:	http://www.healthri.org/hsr/professions/mf_counsel.php
SC:	http://www.llr.state.sc.us/
SD:	http://www.state.sd.us/dhs/boards/counselor/license.htm
TN:	http://www.state.tn.us/health
TX:	http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/counselor
UT:	http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/professional_counselor.html
VT:	http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/allied/
VA:	http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/
WA:	http://www.doh.wa.gov/
WV:	http://www.wvbec.org/
WI:	http://www.wvbec.org/
WY:	http://plboards.state.wy.us/mentalhealth/index.asp

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